Placement through Testing
Placement decisions for enrollment in a degree program are determined by scores on the ACT, SAT, TSIA2, or successful completion of specific courses taken at an approved college or university. Scores are used to determine appropriate courses or areas where additional preparation may be required and/or advised for the student. If a student’s diagnostic scores indicate a need for developmental courses, most courses in the curriculum are closed to that student; therefore, it is important that the diagnostic measures be taken seriously. Individuals with reading, writing and mathematical deficiencies must achieve basic skills by taking developmental courses continuously until all basic skill requirements are met.
Students transferring from a Texas state-supported institution into programs with TSIA2 requirements must provide an official transcript indicating they have satisfied TSIA2 requirements at a previously attended institution.
The TSIA2 status of a student transferring from private or “out-of-state” institutions shall be determined by the student’s intent for continuous enrollment at COM and by courses completed at the private or out-of-state institution. The TSIA2 may be required prior to enrolling at COM.
Responsibility rests with the student for ensuring that all necessary materials are submitted for admission.
Texas Success Initiative Assessment 2.0 (TSIA2)
The Texas Success Initiative Assessment 2.0 (TSIA2) was designed to assess test takers’ readiness for college-level coursework in the general areas of English language arts and reading (ELAR) and mathematics. Unless exempt, entering college students are required to take tests in ELAR and mathematics, which either classify them as college ready or provide a diagnosis to 1) facilitate entry into the appropriate developmental education course or 2) support co-enrollment in a developmental education course and an entry-level, credit-bearing course within the same semester.
Students entering COM must have appropriate assessment scores or be assessed on a state-approved test (TSIA2) in the areas of English language arts and reading (ELAR) and mathematics. It is used for placement into both developmental and college-level courses. The TSIA2 includes multiple-choice questions that are aligned to the Texas College and Career Readiness Standards and a potential essay. COM’s Testing Center administers the TSIA2 for a fee.
Testing Services
COM’s Testing Center offers the following testing services:
- High School Equivalency Exams: COM currently offers the GED exam for High School Equivalency. After successfully completing the GED exam, the test taker will be issued a Texas Certificate of High School Equivalency. COM only provides computer-based testing for the GED. High School Equivalency exam details are available on COM’s High School Equivalency webpage at https://www.com.edu/testing-center/ged.html.
- Pearson VUE Testing: COM is a certified Pearson VUE Testing Center. Pearson VUE delivers many tests, including the CompTIA, for clients in the licensure, certification, academic admissions, regulatory and government testing service markets. For a complete list of tests and to register, visit http://pearsonvue.com/programs.
- Distance Education: Testing/proctoring services are provided for students enrolled in courses for which there are alternative delivery modes, such as online. Students should refer to the course syllabus for testing procedures.
- Departmental Makeup Exams: Under agreement with some departments, the Testing Center proctors a variety of makeup exams.
- CLEP: The College-Level Examination Program® (CLEP) gives students the opportunity to receive college credit for prior learning experiences by earning qualifying scores on any of 34 examinations. For more information, see COM’s CLEP webpage at https://www.com.edu/testing-center/clep.html.
- TCEQ Certification Exams: The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) strives to protect our state’s public health and natural resources consistent with sustainable economic development. COM offers TCEQ certification exams through computer-based testing. For more information, visit https://www.com.edu/testing-center/tceq-exams.html.
- TExES: COM is an official testing center for the computerized TExES (CAT) exam. Contact Pearson Vue, http://www.tx.nesinc.com/ to register or for any questions concerning the TExES exam.
- TCFP Online Exams: Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP) online exams are available at College of the Mainland. For more information, visit https://www.com.edu/testing-center/tcfp-exams.html.
To view the Testing Center hours, testing schedule, and testing policies, visit the Testing Center website at http://www.com.edu/testing-center/.